Cosmetic treatment method and device, in particular for care, make-up or colouring

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a make-up or coloring method comprising steps which consist in imaging at least one part of the human body to be treated, analysing local characteristics of said part, and applying treatment products of said part based on said local characteristics.

[0001] The present invention relates to the treatment, especially thecosmetic making up, dyeing or care, of some or all of the human body.

[0002] The technique of tattooing has been known since ancient times andconsists in indelibly inserting dyeing substances under the epidermis.

[0003] Tattooing makes it possible to obtain a color design of very highquality, but requires delicate intervention, especially in terms ofhealth risk because of the incision of the skin. As a result, manypeople abandon the idea of being tattooed because of the indelibilityand the surgical aspect of the operation.

[0004] Makeup products which temporarily offer some covering effect andcan substantially alter the appearance of the part of the body whichthey cover are also known. Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,960 describes anapparatus for manufacturing a composition for dyeing the skin using areading of the skin color.

[0005] Makeup products are easy to apply, but they do not stay on formore than a few hours, particularly in hot and/or humid weather.

[0006] Moreover, makeup products seek to imitate the appearance of anormal skin and do not offer any freedom of design.

[0007] Small stamping pads for applying a design onto the skin bytransfer printing have recently appeared. The durability of the designon the skin is of the order of a few days. However, no freedom of designis offered.

[0008] The user reproduces only the design present on the stamping pad.

[0009] The present invention proposes to overcome the drawbacksmentioned hereinabove.

[0010] The present invention proposes a process for treatment,especially for makeup or for temporary dyeing, without incision of theskin, capable of taking account of the local characteristics of the skinand offering a complete freedom of design.

[0011] The present invention proposes a device for implementing theprocess hereinabove. The device comprises a means of positioning saidpart, a means of taking images, a means of analyzing images in order toobtain the local characteristics of said part, and a means of applyingtreatment products over said part according to said localcharacteristics.

[0012] The process for treatment, especially for care, for makeup or fordyeing, according to one aspect of the invention, comprises steps oftaking at least one image of at least one part of the body, especially ahuman body, to be treated, of analyzing local characteristics of saidpart from the image, and of applying, by means of a machine, suitabletreatment products over said part according to said localcharacteristics, said machine being controlled by at least one signalgenerated on the basis of the analysis of said local characteristics.

[0013] Advantageously, the process comprises steps of recognizing thedesired visual characteristics and of applying treatment products,especially makeup or dyeing products, over a part to be treated,especially to be made up, according to said desired characteristics.

[0014] Advantageously, the process comprises steps of definingparticular areas of said part and of applying makeup or dyeing productssuccessively over said particular areas.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the process comprises a stepof storing, for a given person, the products used and the visualcharacteristics obtained.

[0016] Advantageously, the local characteristics obtained immediatelyafter applying the treatment products are monitored.

[0017] The monitoring may be carried out by feedback or automaticcontrol, with real-time correction of the makeup operation or of thetreatment, if necessary.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the application of treatmentproducts is carried out by a moving application head which follows therelief of the part while remaining a short distance away or while beingin contact. The head may comprise a powder puff, a roll or a coarse orfine brush, usually used in cosmetics.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the distance between themoving application head and said part is monitored in real time.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the monitoring of the localcharacteristics obtained immediately after the application of theproducts is carried out using the moving application head.

[0021] Several treatment products, for example 2, 3 or 4, especiallymakeup and/or care products, can be applied simultaneously by the movingapplication head.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the moving application headis supported by an arm which is articulated in order to be capable offollowing the relief of said part.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the moving application headcomprises at least one nozzle capable of spraying a treatment product,said head being of the piezoelectric, pneumatic, electrospray,thermospray or aerosol type.

[0024] Advantageously, the flow rate of each product can be variedaccording to the coordinates of the site onto which said product isbeing applied. A step of recognizing said part may be implemented inorder to determine to which organ said part belongs, for example thearm, the hand, the scalp, the face and its parts such as the eye,eyelid, pupil, cheek, eyelash, eyebrow, lip, forehead and nose.

[0025] A two- or three-dimensional reconstruction of said part may beprovided in order to obtain a two- or three-dimensional, preferably athree-dimensional representation. The three-dimensional representationis produced especially from at least two images.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment products areapplied by airbrushing, by transfer printing, by tattooing or by a wipeimpregnated with the product to be applied.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one digital image ofsaid human body part to be treated is taken. A digital camera, forexample a CCD camera, may be used to this end.

[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, the digital image orimages of said human body part to be treated is/are digitized. Ananalog/digital conversion means may be provided to this end.

[0029] In one embodiment of the invention, the image taking andapplication steps are carried out in a first zone, and the analysis stepis carried out in a second zone distinct from the first zone, withcommunication between said zones by means of a telecommunicationsnetwork, of the Internet type.

[0030] In another embodiment of the invention, the image taking step iscarried out in a first zone, the analysis step is carried out in asecond zone distinct from the first zone, and the application step iscarried out in a third zone distinct from the first and second zones,with communication between said zones by means of a telecommunicationsnetwork, of the Internet type.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, a signal intended to controlan application machine is generated.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, said signal is used tocontrol said application machine.

[0033] The positioning means may be a cast or a chin strap intended toimmobilize the part to be treated (arm or head).

[0034] The image analysis means may be software which, in principle, isaware of the position and the shape of the part to be treated (forexample the lips), especially software which processes the image byregional growth.

[0035] The device may be provided with rollers which are motorized ornon-motorized for contact with the human body and relative displacementwith respect to the latter, the axes of the rollers being fixed withrespect to the application means in order to maintain a determineddistance between the application means and the human body.

[0036] The device may comprise a support for the human body part havingto receive the treatment product or products.

[0037] A light source may be combined with the image taking means.

[0038] The application means may be supported by an articulated arm andmay comprise a nozzle, for example of the piezoelectric type.

[0039] The device may comprise means for controlling the position of theapplication head with respect to the part of the area to be treated.

[0040] The device may comprise a means for automatically controlling thetotal amount and the respective amounts of each composition and of eachingredient according to the desired characteristics, especially withfeedback. Thus, the invention offers the advantages of freedom of designof conventional tattooing, the ease of use of a makeup operation and anaverage durability which may be readily controlled according to thewishes of the user, from a few hours to about 20 days. The fact that thelocal characteristics of said part are taken into account furtherincreases the visual quality of the drawing obtained, especially to playwith three-dimensional or perspective or even optical effects, enablingsome skin imperfections to be made invisible.

[0041] The term “part of the body, especially the human body” refersherein to the skin, for example of the face, of a limb, etc., the scalp,mucus membranes, semi-mucus membranes, keratinous fibers, for examplethe eyelashes, eyebrows, head hair, the nails and body hair.

[0042] The term “image” refers herein a two-dimensional representationof the appearance of an object composed of unit elements to be analyzed,the analysis zone may be limited to a single element (a pixel, forexample).

[0043] The present invention will be better understood on studying thedetailed description of a number of embodiments taken by way ofnonlimiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0044]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a device, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

[0045]FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1;

[0046]FIG. 3 is a schematic view according to another embodiment of theinvention;

[0047]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the image acquisition steps in adevice according to the invention;

[0048]FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a device according to anotherembodiment of the invention; and

[0049]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a device according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

[0050] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the makeup or dyeing system comprisesat least one camera 1 equipped with an objective 2, a central processingunit 3 equipped with a memory 4, a screen 5 and a keyboard 6, and anapplicator 7 provided with control means 8. The video camera 1 may be ofthe CCD type. Alternatively, the camera may be of the conventional type,an analog/digital conversion means then being provided. Communicationsbetween these various elements may be provided by a connection of the RS232 type. The memory 4 and the screen 5 may be integral with the centralprocessing unit or placed in separate cases. The presence of thekeyboard 6 is optional and may be replaced by a touch screen 5 making itpossible to carry out commands. A mouse or a device of the same type mayalso be provided.

[0051] The applicator 7 comprises a case 9 which may be fixed to thefloor or to any suitable support, an articulated assembly 10 fixed atone end to the case 9 and supporting at the opposite end a productapplication head 11.

[0052] The articulated assembly 10 comprises two arms 12 and 13. The arm12 is mounted so as to pivot on the case 9 by means of an articulation14. The arm 13 is mounted so as to pivot on the arm 12 by anarticulation 15 and the head 11 is mounted so as to pivot on the arm 13by means of an articulation 16. The articulations 14, 15 and 16 aremotorized or provided with actuators for moving the head 11 with respectto the case 9 along several axes, preferably perpendicular to eachother. Optionally, the arms 12 and 13 may be telescopic, for example bymeans of an electric cylinder. If it is desired for the head 11 to carryout more complex movements, more than three articulations may beprovided so that they give said head 11 a larger number of degrees offreedom.

[0053] A light source 20 may be attached to the camera 1 in order toimprove the lighting and therefore the quality of the images obtained.The light source 20 will be active at least in visible light and may beof the light-emitting diode, xenon arc, halogen, etc., type.

[0054] The application head 11 comprises a row of spraying nozzles 17fed with treatment products from one or more reservoirs (not shown), forexample placed in the case 9, and two distance sensors 18 and 19 capableof measuring the distance between the application head 11 and thesurface on which the treatment product is to be applied. The detectors18 and 19 may each include a laser diode emitting a laser beam adjustedto cross the other laser beam emitted by the other diode at the desireddistance between the head 11 and the surface which is to receive thetreatment product, such that a difference with respect to this desireddistance can be readily detected. The nozzles 17 may be of the inkjettype with a piezoelectric crystal or an electrostatic means.

[0055] Inkjet printing is a contact-free process. The ink is emittedfrom nozzles. Liquid inks of various colors spurt onto the surface to betreated in order to form an image. The application head 11 sweeps oversaid surface in parallel strips. In order to increase the printingspeed, the application head 11 simultaneously prints in one pass a rowof pixels by means of the row of nozzles 17. The inkjet technique isgenerally either thermal or electrostatic or even piezoelectric.

[0056] In the present application, the piezoelectric technique, in whicha piezoelectric crystal is placed in the bottom of a product reservoirclose to a nozzle, is preferably used. When a current is applied to thepiezoelectric crystal, it becomes deformed, which creates a forcesufficient to eject a droplet of product. The product does not need tobe heated and the droplets may be of very small size. In order to obtaincolor designs, cyan, magenta and yellow color product cartridges will beprovided. Preferably, a black color cartridge will also be provided inorder to obtain a good quality black. Two additional cartridges, lightcyan and light magenta, may also be provided for finer designs.

[0057] Of course, product characteristics other than the colorcharacteristics will be adapted to that part of the human body intendedto receive them: skin, nails, hair, etc. Moreover, cartridges of careproduct and/or of makeup product will also be provided.

[0058] The system operates as follows. A person wishing to treat part ofhis body, for example the face, the hand, the hair, etc., is installedin the field of vision of the camera 1 for one or more views to betaken. Specifically, the production of a three-dimensional image of thepart of the human body which is a preferred variant, requires at leasttwo views to be taken from different angles by means of at least twofixed cameras or by means of one moving camera. The image files obtainedon taking these views are transferred from the camera 1 to the centralprocessing unit 3 which performs processing generally known asreconstruction and allowing a three-dimensional image to be obtained,which is then transferred to the memory 4. To improve the quality of thethree-dimensional image, optional processing treatments may be carriedout by the central processing unit, for example to correct geometricaldefects associated with the perception of the relief. Thethree-dimensional image obtained and stored in the memory 4 may bedisplayed on the screen 5. In the case of a three-dimensional image, itis not essential for the central processing unit 3 to perform suchprocessing. Design software stored in the memory 4 allows the user, oran operator who may assist him, to simulate on the screen 5 variouspossible makeup operations or dyeings according to preexisting designsstored in the memory 4, or designs provided by the user on a digitalmedium such as a floppy disk or a CD ROM capable of being read by asuitable reader (not shown) connected to the central processing unit 3.Retouching may be performed by means of the keyboard 6 or the screen 5if the latter is of the touch-type, until the effect desired by the useris obtained on the screen 5. The design may also be entirely composed bythe user or by the operator. Design software such as PHOTOSHOP® fromAdobe or PAINTBRUSH® from Microsoft may be used.

[0059] At the same time that this is choice is made by the user, thecentral processing unit performs an analysis of the characteristics ofthe surface to be made up or colored from the two- or three-dimensionalimage, so as to determine the topological characteristics of saidsurface, in order to determine whether an application of a treatmentproduct is necessary prior to the application of a makeup or dyeingproduct, for example in the case of a dry skin or even in the case of awrinkled skin. The two-dimensional image is suitable for dry skin or fornonuniform colors (pigmentation mark or scar). For wrinkled skins, thethree-dimensional image is preferred.

[0060] The central processing unit 3 also performs processing allowingvarious parts of the human body to be recognized, especially todifferentiate hair from skin, to recognize the fingers and the nails ofa hand and to recognize the various parts of the face, especially thelips, the eyebrows, the cheeks and more generally any part requiring theapplication of a specific treatment, makeup or dyeing product, forexample by means of segmentation-recognition software.

[0061] At the end of these steps, the central processing unit 3 preparesa signal for controlling the applicator 7 and sends it to the controlmeans 8. The control means 8 control the following operations accordingto the control signal received from the central processing unit 3.

[0062] The application head 11 is brought into the field of vision ofthe camera 1 and placed close to the surface which is to be made up ordyed, so that the row of nozzles 17 is at the desired spraying distance,which is verified using the sensors 18 and 19. Of course the part of theuser's body which is to be treated will be properly immobilized for theduration of the treatment. The head-surface distance is dynamicallycontrolled in real time by the control means 8.

[0063] In the case of applying makeup, a first passage of the head 11may allow a care product to be deposited and a second passage will allowthe makeup product itself to be deposited.

[0064] Advantageously, it is possible to provide for a third passage ofthe head 11. The second passage then allows a color product to bedeposited and the third passage allows a matting agent to be deposited.

[0065] In the case of a pigmentation mark detected by the camera 1 andidentified by the central processing unit 3, the treatment product couldbe or could comprise a covering product making it possible to give thepigmentation mark the same appearance as the rest of the skin.

[0066] By way of a variant, it is possible to envisage simultaneouslydepositing two or more products so as to accelerate the process. To thisend, several rows of nozzles 17 arranged in a matrix may be providedallowing different products to be applied simultaneously but in siteswhich are slightly offset. In the event of scars being present, they maybe camouflaged by applying dye with optical illusion patterns, making itpossible to give an illusion of relief. The central processing unit 3will perform a colorimetric analysis of the image perceived by thecamera 1, so as to determine the local shade of the part having to betreated.

[0067] A dyeing product, for example an ink, may be applied in order toobtain the image selected by the user on the screen 5. A step ofapplying a varnish and/or a product intended to prevent desquamation andenabling the staying power of the dyeing to be prolonged may then beincluded. Of course, an ink and possibly a varnish which can be removedwithout damaging the skin, for example by an organic solvent, by wateror by a surfactant product, will be chosen.

[0068] The care products used prior to the makeup or dyeing product mayalso be made by mixing a dye and a care product at low dose such ashydroquinone, kojic acid or arbutin. It is also possible to add to thedyeing or makeup product a self-tanning agent, for exampledihydroxyacetone or even a substrate and enzyme assembly reacting insitu on the skin during the application, it being possible for thesubstrate to be a polymer of the polyphenol family.

[0069] In the case of dyeing or making up a skull, the hair of which iscut extremely short, products intended for the skin will be used toproduce the pattern desired by the user, such as stripes, degradations,streaks, etc.

[0070] The spraying nozzles 17 may be of the piezoelectric sprayingtype, allowing a wide variety of treatment or pigment products to beused. The product is forced through the nozzle which is of smalldiameter and made to vibrate at high frequency by a piezoelectriccrystal placed in the head 11. The product in liquid form then splitsinto fine droplets which are expelled by the nozzle. At the outlet, thedroplets may be diverted by any known means, such as by means ofdeflection electrodes, allowing multidiverted continuous jet printing.

[0071] The entire surface to be made up or dyed is crossed by the head11 with real time measurement of the distance by means of the sensors 18and 19 for maintaining the distance required by the type of nozzle thatis used, thus allowing accurate monitoring of the relief and ahigh-quality application.

[0072]FIG. 2 illustrates in more detail the moving head 11. The set ofnozzles 17 comprises four nozzles 21, 22, 23 and 24, four removablecartridges 25, 26, 27 and 28, each one containing a product that it isdesired to apply and being connected via a tube 29, 30, 31, 32 to thecorresponding nozzle 21, 22, 23, 24. By way of example, the cartridges25 to 28 may contain:

[0073] each a base dyeing composition;

[0074] each a dyeing composition derived from a mixture;

[0075] one a covering product of the foundation type, the othersdifferent dyeing compositions, etc.

[0076] The moving head 11 comprises a means of identifying cartridges 25to 28, for example in the form of four sensors 33 to 36, each onededicated to a cartridge 25 to 28 and capable of recognizing thecontents of the cartridge, especially by reading a mechanical, optical,magnetic, etc. code.

[0077] Product pumping means are also provided to transfer a productfrom a cartridge 25, 26, 27, 28 to the corresponding nozzle 21, 22, 23,24. The moving head 11 may comprise a means of monitoring the amount ofproduct present in each cartridge 25, 26, 27, 28, for example in theform of a sensor dedicated to measuring the mass of a cartridge 25, 26,27, 28 and allowing the product level to be estimated, or of a sensordedicated to measuring the flow rate of a pumping means, or else asensor dedicated to measuring the electric current consumed by a pumpingmeans, the current decreasing when a cartridge is empty and the pumpingmeans no longer delivers product. An empty cartridge may be indicated bydisplaying an “empty cartridge” message on the screen 5 and/or byemitting a sound signal. Alternatively, the screen 5 may comprise a zonededicated to displaying the level of product in each cartridge.

[0078] The moving head 11 may comprise a means for maintaining thetemperature if the nature of the products, especially their viscosity,requires it, for example between 20 and 27° C., better still between 22and 24° C. The maintenance of a relatively constant temperature avoids adispersion of flow from the nozzles due to a variation in viscosity.

[0079] Thus, after selecting the desired visual characteristics, thesoftware stored in the memory 4 and implemented by the centralprocessing unit 3 verifies that the cartridges present in the head 11are suitable for the desired visual characteristics. If such is not thecase, a warning message is displayed on the screen 5.

[0080] Verification is carried out from the signals emitted by thesensors 33 to 35 and received by the central processing unit 3, forexample by a wire connection passing through the case 9.

[0081] After the operator has made available, if necessary, suitablecartridges in the head 11, a corresponding message may be displayed onthe screen 5.

[0082] In other embodiments, the head 11 may comprise an applicationmeans such as an airbrush or a means of application by transferprinting, by tattooing or by a wipe impregnated with the product to beapplied.

[0083] The software calculates the instantaneous amounts of each productfor each elementary area of the part to be treated according to thecharacteristics of said elementary area. In other words, for anelementary area of coordinates (x, y) or (x, y, z), the softwarecalculates the partial elementary amounts Q₂₅, Q₂₆, Q₂₇ and Q₂₈ ofproduct from cartridges 25, 26, 27 and 28 according to the type of eachproduct, the characteristics of the elementary area and the result to beobtained which may be defined by color and brightness variables.

[0084] The software also determines the order of application of theproducts which may be successive over the same area or juxtaposed overneighboring areas. In some cases, only one product will be applied andonly one cartridge will be used even if others remain in place on thehead 11.

[0085] In order to have a direct correlation between the visiblecharacteristics of the skin and the two- or three-dimensionalmathematical information, the software may use, for example, an opticalmeasurement process which uses a combination of Gray code and phaseshift techniques. With this process, it is possible to determine withgreat accuracy the absolute spatial coordinates of all the object pointsin the field covered by the image.

[0086] In the Gray code method, the fringes are projected successivelywith a rectangular luminosity modulation and a different number oflines. The number of lines is doubled at each projection process, thusunambiguously defining the order of the lines for each image point. Inthe phase shift method, only one fringe is projected several times witha sinusoidal luminosity modulation and a different phase relationship.This also allows an exact three-dimensional reconstruction of thesurface for which each image point is defined independently of itsneighbors, an automatic control of the measuring quality.

[0087] The resolution in the vertical Z direction, typically with 0.2%of the measuring field, leads to an effective resolution of 4 μm in Z.Depending on the type of CCD camera used, a resolution of 45 μm can bereached in the horizontal X and Y direction. The image analysis sequencewith analysis of the corresponding coordinates may be performed in lessthan a second (typically 500-800 ms).

[0088] The three-dimensional coordinates of the area observed by thecamera 1 serve to position the head 11 at a suitable distance (typically1 cm) from the skin. This is performed by controlling a Z-translationtable by means of the central processing unit 3.

[0089] The image acquired by the camera 1 for calculating thethree-dimensional coordinates of the area observed also makes itpossible to measure the color of the skin. To do this, the camera 1 iscolorimetrically calibrated as is done for a scanner using an image of acalibration test card and calibration software, for example Profilemaker from Logo. To overcome skin brightness phenomenon, polarizers inthe crossed position are used, which are placed on the projector 20 andin front of the objective of the camera. This calibration proceduremakes it possible to obtain correspondence of the image acquired withthe colorimetric system and independent of the camera. The image makesit possible to have the color on each pixel and thus at each point ofthe area observed.

[0090] The positioning system 37, illustrated in FIG. 3, consists of twotranslation tables with stepper motors secured to each other, driven viaa control unit. These tables allow the displacement of the distributionhead 38 in Z (distance to the application area) and in X (translationalong the application area).

[0091] The distance from the distribution head 38 to the area to betreated may vary between 20 μm and 10 cm, preferably between 100 μm and5 cm, and preferably, between 250 μm and 1 cm.

[0092] The area of the body to be treated is kept in place using asuitable device. Mention is made, for example, of a cast 39 for the armand of a chin strap (not shown) for the head.

[0093] Design software supporting the screen and printing colorimetriccalibrations (of the type Photoshop V5.02 from Adobe) makes it possibleto select from an image database the type of makeup to be applied to thearea and to visualize the result after application. The image acquiredby the calibrated camera allows the exact restoration of the colors ofthe area.

[0094] By means of the image modification software, it is possible toselectively correct a defect in the area to be treated (example:depigmented area). This area is encircled using the mouse and may becorrected using the same color as the surrounding skin.

[0095] The colors are obtained by mixing together the four colors: cyan,magenta, yellow, black. The head is colorimetrically calibrated (ICCprofile) so as to perfectly restore the colors of the makeup selectedand viewed on the screen.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position of thedistribution head 38 with respect to the skin may be dynamicallycontrolled by means of a telemetry system. For example, by using acontact-free distance sensor operating on the principle oftriangulation. The sensor has a measuring dynamic of plus or minus 1 cmwith a precision less than 10 μm and a working distance of 6.5 cm, forexample of the BULLIER INTERNATIONAL type, Reference M5L/20. The signalfrom the sensor is digital and is connected to the central processingunit. The automatic control of the position of the distribution headmakes it possible to compensate for small movements of the area to betreated. The automatic control is carried out by the central processingunit during printing of the selected design.

[0097] By virtue of the invention, a makeup operation, a dyeing or acare treatment adapted to the user's wishes may be provided. The term“makeup operation” herein means the application of product taking intoaccount the colorimetric and topological characteristics of the skin,and the term “dyeing” means the application of a covering productcompletely camouflaging the original shade of the skin. The system alsoapplies to hair coloring. Patterns of different colors and of differentshapes may be produced thereon by means of this automatic treatmentmachine.

[0098] The presence of several cartridges makes it possible to preventthe formation of a mixture of products prior to the application. On thecontrary, each product is applied directly. Thus the use of an excessiveamount of products is avoided, the mixture of which is specific to oneperson or to one localized site of a person and may not be usedelsewhere.

[0099]FIG. 4 illustrates the various steps of the image acquisitionprocess, especially in the case of two identical cameras looking at anobject from two different optical paths. The two images, called a leftimage and a right image, are acquired at the same time, since the twocameras are synchronized. The view-taking is immediate, which eliminatesany problems of user movement. The working volume is limited by the sizeof the vertical and horizontal fields of the cameras and by the depth offield of the objectives. The two views show disparities which may bequantified, which make it possible to return to the topography of theobserved surface. The topography of the observed object is calculated instep 40 by acquiring the left and right images, in step 41 bycalculating the optical geometry with interpolation and correcting theimages provided by the central processing unit 3 of FIG. 3, in step 42of calculating the disparities between the left and right images and bycalculating the topography of the surface.

[0100] By way of example, in step 43, the calibration data are obtainedusing a test card which is moved in the working volume of the twocameras, the calibration being performed on one hundred points per planeover several planes separated by a step, for example of a fewmillimeters depending on the object to be measured. Parameters extrinsicto the cameras relating to the positions and orientations with respectto the calibration reference point, and parameters intrinsic to thecameras (optical characteristics) linked to the associated distortionand pinhole model, are extracted therefrom. This calibration is doneonce only and defines the geometry of the two cameras. Calculation ofthe disparities between the cameras is carried out on two differentscales. Next, the correlation minimum between the two views is searchedfor at the two scales described. The position of this minimum isinterpolated parabolically, which gives sufficient accuracy with anerror of less than one pixel. The height of the point selected isinversely proportional to the calculated position of the minimum. Thecalibration data calculated in step 43 are supplied during step 41 forcalculating the optical geometry and during a step 44 for calculatingnew parameters of the cameras, which are supplied to the centralprocessing unit during step 42 of calculating the topography of thesurface.

[0101] The treatment product which may be applied within the scope ofthe present invention may be of any cosmetically acceptable nature.

[0102] It may be a care, makeup or dyeing product, which may be appliedto the skin of the body and/or of the face, to head hair, the eyelashes,the eyebrows, body hair and/or the nails.

[0103] It may also comprise the usual cosmetic ingredients, such as forexample oils, waxes, water, solvents, dyes, thickeners, surfactants,fillers, film-forming or non film-forming polymers.

[0104] Among the oils and/or the waxes, mention may be made of volatileor nonvolatile hydrocarbon and/or silicone and/or fluoro oils and waxesof animal, vegetable, mineral or synthetic origin.

[0105] Among the solvents, mention may be made of alcohols, especiallyC₁-C₆ alcohols such as ethanol or isopropanol; glycols such as ethyleneglycol or propylene glycol; glycerol; propylene glycol ethers; ketones;esters; ethers; alkanes; cyclic aromatic compounds (toluene, benzene,xylene); aldehydes.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, it may comprise at least one dye whichmay be a pigment or a water-soluble or liposoluble dye.

[0107] The pigments may be white or colored, mineral and/or organic, andmicrometer-sized or nanometer sized pigments.

[0108] Among the mineral pigments and nanopigments, mention may be madeof titanium, zirconium or cerium oxides, and of zinc, iron or chromiumoxides, ferric blue, chromium hydrate and ultramarines (aluminosilicatepolysulfides).

[0109] Among the organic pigments, mention may be made of carbon blackand lacquers such as calcium, barium, aluminum, zirconium or strontiumsalts.

[0110] Among the water-soluble dyes, mention may be made of dyes thatare common in the field in question such as the disodium salt ofponceau, the disodium salt of alizarine green, quinoline yellow, thetrisodium salt of amaranth, the disodium salt of tartrazine, themonosodium salt of rhodamine, the disodium salt of fuchsin, andxanthophyll, and mixtures thereof. Mention may also be made of halo aciddyes, azodyes and anthraquinone dyes.

[0111] Moreover, the product may comprise the usual additives commonlyemployed in the field in question, such as antioxidants, perfumes,preserving agents, cosmetic active ingredients, vitamins, essentialfatty acids, sphingolipids, self-tanning compounds such as DHA andsunscreens.

[0112] In a preferred embodiment, the product comprises at least onecompound generally used for the temporary or permanent dyeing of headhair or of nails.

[0113] In another preferred embodiment, the treatment product maycomprise at least one compound capable of temporarily dyeing the skin,such as self-tanning agents (especially DHA).

[0114] In another preferred embodiment, the treatment product maycomprise at least one cosmetic active ingredient, especially a careactive ingredient such as a moisturizer, an agent for whitening theskin, a care product for a pigmentation mark, a pro-desquamating agent,and an antiwrinkle agent.

[0115] The treatment product is intended to be applied to the skin ofthe face and of the body, to the mucus membranes and/or to the keratinfibers, such as the nails, the eyebrows or the head hair. It may be inany pharmaceutical form that can be envisioned, such as an oily oraqueous gel; a liquid or gelled emulsion, an oil-in-water, water-in-oilor multiple emulsion; a dispersion; a multiphase system, especially abiphase system; a solid composition such as a stick or bar.

[0116] This product may be in the form of a body hygiene composition; ahair composition, for example a hairstyling stick or hair makeup stick;a composition for making up the skin of the face, the body or the lips,for example a lipstick, liquid foundation in a stick or in a small dish,a face powder or an eyeshadow, a fixing base to be applied over astandard lipstick, a concealer stick, a lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara ortemporary tattoo products; a care composition for facial or body skinincluding the scalp, the lips, the hair or the nails, for example a lipcare balm or base, a daily care cream or a matting composition; anantisun or self-tanning composition.

[0117] In one embodiment of the invention, the camera 1, the applicator7 and a screen are placed in a first location, and a data processingunit equipped with its peripherals is placed in a second location and isconnected to the camera 1 and the applicator 7 by a communicationnetwork, for example of the Internet type. Interfaces such as modemswill be connected to the camera 1 and the applicator 7, on the one hand,and to the data processing unit on the other hand. The data processingunit may be combined with a database which allows a larger choice ofdesigns. Moreover, the data processing unit may be of high computingpower. The data processing unit sends one or more images to the firstlocation where the user selects an image and marks his approval. Thecontrol signal may then be produced at the first location by a localdata processing means, or in the second location by said data processingunit on receiving a signal representative of the user's choice.

[0118] As a variant, the user can choose his image at a third location,for example at home on a personal computer connected to a communicationnetwork, mark his approval on an image, his approval then beingtransmitted to said data processing unit which then produces a signalintended to control the applicator, and sends it. The applicator, onreceiving said signal, is ready to produce the image. The user then goesfrom the third location to the second location, for example a beautysalon, a manicure salon, a pharmacy, etc.

[0119] Alternatively, the user has the applicator at home. He may alsohave the camera at home. In this case, the image taken by the camera issent to a remote data processing unit which performs the variousnecessary operations, proposes at least one image and produces and sendsa signal intended to control the applicator on receiving the user'sapproval.

[0120] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the camera 1, a computer45 provided with a screen 5 and a keyboard 6, and the applicator 7 areplaced in an acquisition and application zone 46, located for example atthe user's home or in a beauty parlour. A computer 47 and a database 48are placed in a remote zone 49, located for example at the home of thedesigner or at the home of a system operator. The computer 47 and thedatabase 48 are connected by a computer link, preferably with a highdata rate, while being able to be located at some distance one from theother. The computer 47 and the computer 45 are connected by atelecommunications network of the Internet type, preferably a fastInternet connection for example ADSL. The computer 47 may have a highcomputing power, thereby benefiting the user, while the computer 45 willbe of the inexpensive mass-produced computer type.

[0121] Furthermore, a unit 50 for formulating products is provided, forexample in a laboratory, connected to the database 48 by a computerlink, preferably with a high data rate, while being able to be locatedat some distance one from the other.

[0122] In one direction, the data required by the camera in theacquisition and application zone 46 will be sent to the computer 47 viathe computer 45 which may or may not carry out a first data processing.The data may serve to feed a database bringing together all thetypologies of current or potential clients. The data contained in thisbase may then be used by a cosmetic product formulator in order todetermine the characteristics of a product that it would be suitable todevelop to meet the needs of this clientele.

[0123] In the other direction, a signal containing information intendedfor the applicator 7 is carried. More specifically, the computer 47processes data in order to generate an application message and/or dataof one or more images calculated from the characteristics of the user.If the computer 45 receives the application message, it processes it,for example by decompression, if said message contains compressed data,and sends a control signal to the applicator 7. The said sending of thecontrol signal may be subject to validation by the user.

[0124] If the computer 45 receives data of an image, it displays saidimage on the screen 5. The computer 45 may then require validation bythe user. After said validation, the computer 45 may send a request foran application message to the computer 47.

[0125] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, references to elementssimilar to those of FIG. 5 have been kept. The camera 1, and thecomputer 45 are placed in an acquisition zone 51, located for example atthe user's home. The applicator 7 is placed in an application zone 52,located for example in a beauty parlour. The applicator 7 is connectedto the computer 47 by a link of the same type as that provided betweenthe computer 45 and the computer 47.

[0126] In other words, the acquisition 51 and application 52 zones aredistinct and may be distant. A personal code may be provided to identifycharacteristics specific to the user or characteristics chosen by theuser and stored in the database 48. The personal code may be indicatedto the user by the computer 45 in the acquisition zone 51 and will berequested from him by the computer 47 in the application zone 52. Thepersonal code may have the double function of identifying data of a userand of protecting the confidentiality of said data.

1. A process for cosmetic treatment, especially for care, for makeup orfor dyeing, at least part of the human body, comprising steps of: takingat least one image of said human body part to be treated, analyzinglocal characteristics of said part from the image, applying, by means ofa machine, suitable treatment products over said part according to saidlocal characteristics, said machine being controlled by at least onesignal generated on the basis of the analysis of said localcharacteristics.
 2. The process as claimed in claim 1, comprising stepsof recognizing the desired visual characteristics and of applying makeupproducts over said part to be made up according to said desiredcharacteristics.
 3. The process as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprisingsteps of defining particular areas of said part and of applying productssuccessively over said particular areas.
 4. The process as claimed inany one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of storing, for agiven person, the products used and the visual characteristics obtained.5. The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in whichthe local characteristics obtained immediately after the application ofthe products are monitored.
 6. The process as claimed in any one of thepreceding claims, in which the application of products is carried out bya head which follows the relief of said part.
 7. The process as claimedin claim 6, in which the distance between the head and said part ismonitored in real time.
 8. The process as claimed in claim 6 or 7, inwhich the monitoring of the local characteristics obtained immediatelyafter the application of the products is carried out using the head. 9.The process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which saidpart is reconstructed three-dimensionally in order to obtain athree-dimensional representation.
 10. The process as claimed in any oneof the preceding claims, in which the treatment products are applied byairbrushing, by transfer printing, by tattooing or by a wipe impregnatedwith the product to be applied.
 11. The process according to any one ofthe preceding claims, in which at least one digital image of said humanbody part to be treated is taken.
 12. The process as claimed in any oneof claims 1 to 10, in which the digital image or images of said humanbody part to be treated is/are digitized.
 13. The process as claimed inany one of the preceding claims, in which the image taking andapplication steps are carried out in a first zone, and the analysis stepis carried out in a second zone distinct from the first zone, withcommunication between said zones by means of a telecommunicationsnetwork, of the Internet type.
 14. The process as claimed in any one ofclaims 1 to 12, in which the image taking step is carried out in a firstzone, the analysis step is carried out in a second zone distinct fromthe first zone, and the application step is carried out in a third zonedistinct from the first and second zones, with communication betweensaid zones by means of a telecommunications network, of the Internettype.
 15. A device for implementing the process according to any one ofthe preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a means ofpositioning said part, a means of taking images, a means of analyzingimages in order to obtain the local characteristics of said part, and ameans of applying makeup products over said part according to said localcharacteristics.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 15, characterized inthat the application means is supported by an arm which is articulatedin order to be capable of following the relief of said part.
 17. Thedevice as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that theapplication means comprises at least one nozzle capable of spraying atreatment product, said head being of the piezoelectric, pneumatic,electrospray, thermospray or aerosol type.
 18. The device as claimed inany one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that it comprises means forcontrolling the position of the application means with respect to thepart of the area to be treated
 19. The device as claimed in any one ofclaims 15 to 18, characterized in that it comprises means forautomatically controlling the total amount and the partial amounts ofeach product according to the visual characteristics desired.
 20. Acomputer program comprising program code means to implement the steps ofthe process according to any one of claims 1 to 14, when said programruns on a computer.